UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change : Ariadna Study

Ariadna Study

Introduction

The existence of a growing debate around the introduction of a Deposit Refund System (DRS–in Spanish SDDR) of packaging in our country, prompted the ESCI-UPF to propose to the sponsors of this study to carry out an analysis of the environmental sustainability of its implementation from a Life Cycle perspective, thus analysing its economic and social impacts. The analysis has been performed following the requirements stated in the Spanish Law 22/2011 on Waste and Contaminated Land for the implementation of this type of DRS, as well as the EU recommendations.

To perform these analyses, three specialized research groups at ESCI-UPF in each one of these areas have been involved: the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change, responsible for coordinating the project through its director Dr Pere Fullana, the Research in International Studies and Economics research group, and the MANGO Chair in Corporate Social Responsibility.

Description

The objective of the ARIADNA Study is to analyse the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the implementation of a mandatory Deposit and Return System (DRS) in Spain (and in Catalonia, as a pilot region). The study compares the current system of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for managing the waste with a hypothetical situation of both systems (ERP and DRS). It would affect containers for water, soft drink, juice, beer, wine, sparkling wine and spirits made from PET, HDPE, steel, aluminium, carton for beverages and glass, with a capacity smaller than 3 litres. A 10-cent deposit per container would be applied, and a return rate of 90% (1) has been assumed. Containers not subject to the DRS would be managed by the EPR.

It is the most comprehensive study on DRS carried out to date in Europe. The study has involved the participation of a monitoring committee, including more than 30 entities and organisations representing the parties involved in waste management. It also includes a critical review by a panel of nine independent experts. The full report of the project has been published in the channels of the Chair for public exposure.

(1) This is the return rate that proponents of the DRS believe could be achieved. It is even higher than the return rate reported in most countries that still have a DRS for single-use containers.

"Sustainability study on the introduction of a mandatory DRS for beverage packaging in Spain: a comparative environmental, social and economic analysis versus the current situation"

"Sustainability study on the introduction of a mandatory DRS for beverage packaging in Spain: a comparative environmental, social and economic analysis versus the current situation"

Public Exposure

In this section, inquiries about the ARIADNA Study shall be collected using the form shown below. To submit a query it is necessary to provide name, surnames, and organisation (if this is the case). Anonymous inquiries will not be answered. The questions received will be sent to the research team and finally, questions and answers will be published on the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change ESCI-UPF Website (“ARIADNA Consultations” Section).